North Central College is recognized as a top college for teacher education in Illinois by The College Database, a comprehensive source for U.S. college data.

North Central College has been recognized as a top college for teacher education in the state of Illinois by The College Database, a comprehensive source for U.S. college and university data.

The Online College Database’s new ranking, “Top Colleges in Illinois Shaping the Next Generation,” honors the post-secondary institutions in the state that graduated the most education and teaching professionals during the 2012 school year.

North Central College showcases works by artist Deborah Orloff in the exhibit “Holzwege” through Jan. 9.

North Central College showcases works by artist Deborah Orloff in the exhibit “Holzwege” Nov. 10 through Jan. 9.

The exhibit is free and open to the public in the College’s Oesterle Library Gallery, 320 E. School St., Naperville. An artist reception will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9; complimentary refreshments will be served.

Wendy Koenig, North Central College associate professor of art, presented a paper, titled “New Approaches to Oral Testimony,” as part of the panel The Practice and Politics of Commemoration at the 11th Biennial International Holocaust Studies Conference at Middle Tennessee State University on Oct. 17. Her research into the use of audio and video testimony in Holocaust museums is an outgrowth of earlier work on acoustic design and the use of sound in Holocaust and other atrocity museum exhibits.

Works of four North Central College students are featured in the monthlong “Autumn Student Art Exhibit.”

Works of four North Central College students are featured in the monthlong “Autumn Student Art Exhibit.”

The exhibit includes paintings, drawings and sculptures created by sophomore Lauren Denler of Homer Glen, junior Nicole “CoCo” Digweed of Plainfield and seniors Liz Halbmaier of Burlington and LeAnn Spitzer of Rockford. The exhibit runs Nov. 1 through Nov. 27 in the Meiley-Swallow Hall Gallery, 31 S. Ellsworth St. An artist reception will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10; complimentary refreshments will be served.

North Central College began the 2013-2014 academic year Sept. 16 with a record number of students.

North Central College began the 2013-2014 academic year Sept. 16 with a record number of students.

Total enrollment stands at 3,048 undergraduate and graduate students, eclipsing the 3,000 mark for the second straight year. The College welcomed 852 new full-time undergraduate students. Enrollment this fall includes a record number of international students and increased representation of out-of-state students and veterans.

North Central College is offering a new Teacher Leader program leading to a master’s degree in education or state endorsement for educators.

North Central College is offering a new Teacher Leader program leading to a master’s degree in education or state endorsement for educators.

The Teacher Leader degree or endorsement is designed for teachers who have a professional education license and want to pursue additional leadership training and responsibilities. Educators who earn a Teacher Leader degree or endorsement may pursue positions as a mentor or coach, lead curriculum standards committees, serve as department or grade-level chairs, lead school improvement initiatives and serve on school leadership teams.

Annie appreciates that North Central went above and beyond typical student teaching requirements to prepare her for a career as an art teacher. All the extra experience helped her find a job before she completed her degree.

“North Central’s art education program is difficult, but it’s extremely rewarding if you work hard,” says Annie, who is now a high school art teacher at Grant Community High School in Fox Lake, IL. “The education provides students with multiple practicum experiences, which are great ways to apply classroom concepts in a public or private school setting.”

Annie chose to attend North Central because it had “a hometown feel with all the fun of downtown Naperville.” She found it easy to form strong connections with students and teachers alike.

“One of my professors invited me to her house to discuss art education evaluations and lesson plans while I was student teaching,” she says. “There’s something very special about attending a small school like North Central.”